Leeds United are beginning the week searching for a new manager following the Sunday night sacking of Thomas Christiansen.

The Dane was relieved of his duties just over 24 hours after he oversaw a humbling 4-1 defeat at home to Cardiff, Leeds' seventh game without a win that left them seven points adrift of the play-off spots.

Handed a pre-season target of a top-six finish, the last month has seen the Whites beset by injury and suspension problems, with Christiansen unable to turn things around.

He was sent on his way by the board, who are now looking to secure a speedy appointment as they try and rescue a once-promising looking season that has lost its way.

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What is his background?

Wolf's somewhat undistinguished playing career as a striker saw him turn out for a number of lower league and B teams in Germany, including a spell at Nurnberg's reserve side.

He moved into coaching aged just 24 with SG Eintracht Ergst and then had a spell as a player-manager with ASC 09 Dortmund and would work his way up to the head coach of Borussia Dortmund's reserve team in 2011, after winning titles with the club's under-17 and under-19 sides.

Wolf then landed his first senior job in management when second-flight side Stuttgart appointed him in September 2016.

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Leeds United sack Thomas Christiansen

What has he achieved?

His considerable success in the Dortmund set-up included the development of Christian Pulisic, one of the most highly-touted talents in the world.

And ex-Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp speaks very highly of his former colleague.

"Most important was Wolf," he said. "He helped Christian get accustomed to his new life, as a coach and friend, both on and off the field."

Wolf then hit the ground running at Stuttgart, winning Bundesliga II and gaining promotion to the top flight in his first season.

However, a poor run of form in the Bundesliga this season, culminating in six defeats in seven games left Stuttgart teetering above the relegation zone and earned him the sack.

His relationship with Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool's Manager Jurgen Klopp Premier League Football Huddersfield Town v Liverpool 30/01/18 (Pic by John Rushworth) Football Images are covered by DataCo licence agreements. For Editorial Use Only No Free Use permitted.

Wolf spoke of what he learned from the current Liverpool boss in an interview with ESPN last year.

"We worked together for six years and I was able to see his training, to be part of it," he said. "I saw everything. It's difficult to say in words how much [it influenced me], because it's not only about understanding how training works, but everything to do with the club. He was always helping me -- there was a lot of brilliant input for a young coach at this time. It was an unbelievable experience and a big part of me."

Why are Leeds interested in him?

Wolf is an intriguing prospect

Wolf's attributes seem to fit the model Leeds are looking to create at Elland Road.

The club had previously shown interest in Huddersfield boss David Wagner, who comes from a very similar background to Wolf and there are parallels with the situation he inherited at Stuttgart and the current situation at Leeds.

"Stuttgart are a big club, so a lot of people thought that playing with them in the second division, it would be easy," he said before leading them to promotion.

"But we knew that wasn't true, so we're very satisfied with the position we're in now. It's important that you're confident enough to think you can make it, but also respect the opponent and the league. That's a good mixture to be successful -- it's a culture we want."